End of Summer Into Fall, Part 1

It is very easy to get behind. So it goes. Sorry. Things have been happening. The usual. There are so many sets of photos that I have split them into two posts. Not much text. You have the background on the Obons. The rest is fairly self-explanatory. Keep on truckin'.

08/10. The Ranchside Cafe.

The Ranchside Cafe is in Lakeview Terrace. They serve Ethiopian food. If you've ever been to Lakeview Terrace, you'd know how unusual this is. That place is full of cowboys, horses and shooting ranges. It is the community that officers of the Los Angeles Police Dept. beat Rodney King. That should tell you a lot. Fortunately, life moves on. Things, places and people change. French horn player Steve Durnin, hipped me to this place. They have a very mixed menu. Typical American breakfast, Mexican and...Ethiopian. 

08/12. Obon in Gardena.

Gardena is the last of the community Obons in the L.A. area. Because it is such big festival, you have to park a good walk away. Like much of southern California, if you walk just a little way, you are sure to pass some outstanding plants expressing themselves. I didn't dance this time. Just wasn't in that frame of mind. A fine time was had by all anyway. 

08/13. LeRoy Downs' Jazz Brunch.

LeRoy Downs is the Jazzcat. LeRoy has been presenting improvised music over the airwaves for over a decade. He is the host/master of ceremonies of many a live jazz concert and festival on the West Coast. Check out his blog the JazzCat, to know what the haps are in the improvised music world, centered mostly around "jazz." Now adding to his other activities, he has turned impresario. He invited me to perform at his first Jazz Brunch. I invited Joseph Mitchell. As Judicanti Responsura, we performed a duo version of Procyon lotor. 

08/14. Recording with Brad Dutz and Scott Ray.

At Scot Ray's suggestion, Brad Dutz invited me over to record some improvs with the two of them. A fine time was had by all. Some of the piece were pretty good, I think. I haven't heard the recordings yet. I find it best to have some time pass before reviewing the music.

08/15. Black Goat Lunch.

Black goat stew at Mirak, in Korea Town. I went with the burger group. We were missing one member. His loss.

This is not Mirak. We wanted something sweet afterwards. The boba bar had this strange poster.

08/26. Wedding Gig.

Did a wedding gig with a brass quintet in Santa Barbara. It was an impressive church. Lots of wood. Nothing about it was impressive as the socks of our leader.